The Rings of Poseidon Read Online Free Page B

bedding area, a pit for the fire and so on.
    "I'd like to get down and measure that
doorway." said Frank in a tone which indicated that he might do
just that.
    "Are you Frank Baxter by any chance?" Alan
wondered out loud.
    "Yeah. You must be Alan Wainwright," answered
Frank, holding out a hand that was more like a paw. "I figured I'd
run into you some place along the way."
    "I thought I'd see you on the ferry," said
Alan shaking it, "but you must have come the other way."
    "That's right," answered Frank. "Say, that
hotel seems a better place to get acquainted. It's the only place
around here with a light on."
    "It's the only place around here," Alan said.
They turned towards the lights and their suggestion of hospitality
as the sun went in behind the clouds again.
     
     
     

Chapter 3
     
    While Steve waited by the Landrover, the
ferry came alongside with practised ease. Frank thought, watching,
that the sailor standing in the bows of the ferry with the mooring
rope looked a rather seedy young man. He was scruffy with a greasy
face in need of a shave and hair that was too long and needed a
wash. Even his dark blue sweater had seen better days. However,
Frank could not fault his skill as he dropped the rope over the
mooring bollard and walked to the stern while his 'boss', the only
other sailor aboard, used the engines and the wheel to get the back
end alongside.
    As the scruffy looking individual dropped
another rope over another bollard, the other killed the engines and
Frank, seizing his hold-all and backpack, sprang ashore. He was
followed more cautiously by Alan who, while finding it
straightforward, still looked askance at the water slopping over
the step. He was followed by four other youths who had a great deal
of baggage with them - rucksacks and tents and so forth - which
they fussed about unloading. By the time they reached the top of
the steps Frank had introduced himself to Steve.
    "This is Alan," he said, "and here are four
members of the Orkney Archaeological Society who are coming as
volunteers to help with the dig. I don't know much about them, but
they're wanting a ride to the site for themselves and their gear. I
said it would be okay."
    "Well I suppose I can squeeze them in," said
Steve, eyeing the gear, "but it will be a squeeze and there's a lot
of stuff to pick up from this ferry already."
    The scruffy looking sailor was busy unloading
some freshly baked bread that had been warm when it left Stromness,
a crate or two of sterilised milk as well as several boxes
addressed to the General Store, which went straight into the back
of the Landrover.
    Steve noticed Frank looking dubiously at the
various labels on the boxes and grinned. "All arranged," he
said.
    "Right," he continued, "stuff your whatnots
in behind the boxes and mind the tray of loaves. You'll have to
climb in as best you can on top of the bags, because I can only
squeeze Frank and Alan in the front."
    There was some giggling and much laughter as
the four scrambled amongst their belongings. It was so squashed in
the front when Alan and Frank had crowded in that Steve could
barely drive.
    "Do you want me to join the others in the
back? asked Alan.
    "It's not far and the road's quiet," said
Steve.
    "We'll make it okay," added Frank. "I've been
further in trucks more loaded than this."
     
    As the Landrover turned into the lower field,
they were surprised to find that there was already a tent up by the
caravans and by this time two girls in their early twenties had
joined the workers at the excavations.
    Alicia strolled over to meet the newcomers,
glad that the grass was, for a change, dry underfoot. She
introduced herself while they were unloading.
    "You must be Frank Baxter," she said holding
out her hand.
    "Right. And you'll be the boss," answered
Frank, taking the proffered hand in his big, hairy fist. "Is it OK.
with you if I drop my things off in the caravan space you've got
for me, before I make a start on whatever you've got lined up?"
    "Of